Monthly archive for November 2017

Introduced in 2016 to recognize and celebrate excellence in business, WMBEXA has become the region’s most prestigious business event of the year. The Prairie Sky Chamber of Commerce has the honour of publicly recognizing local businesses that have demonstrated a passion for excellence, a commitment to their community and a strong entrepreneurial spirit.

The 2018 WMBEXA nominations will open on Monday, December 4, 2017. Nominations can be submitted HERE or by contacting the Chamber office at (306) 292-7066 or by email contact@prairieskychamber.ca. Whether you are a business owner that has an amazing story to tell or you know a local business that you feel deserves to be recognized – we want to hear from you! Nominations will be accepted for the following categories:

Customer Service is presented to a business with a proven record of delivery outstanding service to its customers/clients.

Community Involvement will be awarded to a for-profit business demonstrating exceptional performance in its support of the arts and culture, amateur sports, education, health care, voluntary groups, and/or overall community well-being.

New Business is presented to a business that has been in operation for 1-3 years as of December 31, 2018. The business must show positive performance in terms of current or expected profitability, job creation and/or entry into new markets.

Business of the Year is presented to a business that demonstrates all-around excellence, shows growth and profitability, and acts as a role model for other businesses.

**NEW**Non-Profit of the Year celebrates the valuable contributions non-profit organizations make to the Warman, Martensville and surrounding area. It recognizes organizations that serve and promote the community through time involvement, energy and volunteer hours spent. This award will be given to an organization whose example demonstrates excellence in the enthusiastic support and promotion of the community.

Nominations will be open for a 2 week period, closing Monday, December 18th, 2017.

The awards gala, with Steve McLellan and Shawna Nelson as masters of ceremonies, will be held at the Brian King Centre in Warman on May 4, 2018, offering an excellent opportunity to connect with and celebrate the Warman, Martensville and region business community.

On November 15, 2017, the Warman and Martensville Chambers of Commerce officially amalgamated and announced the new name and logo – the Prairie Sky Chamber of Commerce. As the Prairie Sky Chamber of Commerce, the membership-based, non-profit business organization will continue to provide services and programs to increase the success of member businesses in the Warman, Martensville and region.
The new Board of Directors were also announced at the unveiling. The inaugural board of the Prairie Sky Chamber of Commerce will comprise of the following:
Chair Elise Hildebrandt (1 year)
Vice-Chair Tracey Fesiuk (1 year)
Treasurer Tracy Cocks (2 year)
Secretary Janna Larochelle (2 year)
Other: Tamara Bell (2 year)
James Dietrich (1 year)
Trent Ens (1 year)
Josh Fedorowich (2 year)
Gary Moore (1 year)
Stephen Nicholson (1 year)
Jaime Holowaty (2 year)
Darla Schwartz (2 year)
Shanine Sealey (1 year)

“The Prairie Sky Chamber of Commerce is honored to have these dedicated and committed community leaders on our Board of Directors. As a member driven, non-profit organization, we could not accomplish our great work without our volunteer leaders.” said, Chair, Elise Hildebrandt, “I look forward to leading the board as chair and enhancing our role as the voice of business for our region.”

The City of Martensville is providing further support to local businesses affected by the Province of Saskatchewan’s mandated property revaluation process in 2017 through a new Commercial Business and Property Abatement Program.
The Program builds on the City’s commitment to creating and sustaining a positive environment in which to do business. The City feels it is important to base its taxation policy on accurate and reliable values. Earlier this year, the City reduced both the uniform mill rate as well as the commercial mill rate factor to decrease the burden of increased taxes due to the property revaluation. The total decrease in the commercial mill rate from 2016 to 2017 was 36%. Also, to provide a more equitable property tax structure for the business community, the City also increased the commercial base tax to $915 for 2017.
“As a result of the revaluation, commercial property values for some businesses increased on average, by almost 90%, and therefore property taxes also increased substantially for some properties, even with the mill rate reduction and the new property tax structure the City put in place,” says Dillon Shewchuk, Community and Economic Development Manager for the City of Martensville. “In order to encourage new capital investment, business services and products, we need to have the most competitive business environment possible. Residents will benefit as well as a strong business sector means more goods and services available, and more good local jobs.”
The City notes that businesses that took advantage of the Assessment Appeal process this past year have been largely successful in appealing their values.
To be eligible for the program, businesses must meet the criteria of a ‘Local Commercial Business or Property’ and must not have appealed their 2017 tax assessment.
For 2018, eligible businesses must appeal their 2018 Assessment Value within 30 days of the City mailing the notices. This information will be provided with the property assessment notice, or by contacting City Hall. Assessment appeals and the fees must be submitted within 30 days of receiving the Notice of Assessment.
Businesses that successfully appeal their assessment in 2018 will have the corresponding amount of municipal taxes paid in 2017 retroactively abated in the form of a credit to the property’s taxes. As with all successful appeals, appeal fees will be refunded.
For more information visit program details on the Commercial Business and Property Abatement Program.

For more information, contact:
Dillon Shewchuk
Community & Economic Development Manager
(306) 931-2166